Just like that, the Nuggets are on a two game losing streak and only hold onto second in the West by one game. Once again, the Nuggets beat themselves Tuesday night, although Memphis did have a great game. Marc Gasol and Rudy Gay both had 20 points and O.J. Mayo had 18. However, the Nuggets should have had this game. The Nuggets ultimately lost 100-97 in overtime. The Grizzlies are great this year when they hold a team to under 100.
When looking at why the Nuggets lost this game, it is easy to assume that this issue came down to the lack of a closer. That is definitely true to a point. Andre Miller could not finish the game in regulation. Aaron Afflalo and Rudy Fernandez missed shots in the last minute of OT to send the Nuggets out of town with the loss.
Late in the game, it felt like the Nuggets went away from the five-man offense that is so effective during the rest of the game. Nuggets Coach George Karl needs to focus on continuing to push this message that the Nuggets do not need one closer. They have a few guys that can consistently score. That is the mentality they need in the final minute. That’s the only way they are going be successful in close games.
Of course, this game could have easily been won in regulation without the need for an overtime. The Nuggets were fifty percent in their last three trips to the line. The team committed 25 turnovers with five from Lawson and four apiece by Miller and Harrington. Gallinari had only eight points and Fernandez scored zero points.
The Nuggets defense ultimately let the team down in overtime. The Nuggets had a four-point lead in the last minute. They allowed a lay up by O.J. Mayo to bring the lead down to two. Then the Nuggets got caught on a bad defensive switch, leaving Mayo open for the three that would ultimately win the game. The Nuggets were not set as a unit enough to contend with the Grizzlies down the stretch.
The Nuggets have a day off before three games in three days at the Clippers, at home against the Lakers and finally up to Portland to play the Trail Blazers. The Nuggets need to win a couple of these games against teams that are in the hunt.
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